5th June, 2014
Football loving Nigerians expect much from the 23-man Super Eagles squad Coach Stephen Keshi is taking to Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup which kicks off on 12 June. However, there is anxiety in some quarters over the injury-plagued and match-rusty team.
Since the announcement of the 23-man squad that will be on parade in the South American country, Nigerians have continued to scrutinise the team, questioning the rationale some players were left out judging by their performance for their respective clubs during the just concluded football season across Europe.
The ‘Big Boss’, as Keshi is also called, shocked soccer fans by leaving out a number of players that should have been in the 23-man list when the country is going to the World Cup where other teams parade their best.
Nigeria’s best record in the World Cup was the second round outing in France ’98 after the Super Eagles were denied a quarter final berth following their 1-4 loss to Denmark.
Eyebrows are being raised about the decision of Keshi to shut the door against African Cup of Nations hero and Bastia of France player, Sunday Mba and 2014 Africa Nations Championship’s Most Valuable Player, Ejike Uzoenyi. After an outstanding performance at the 2013 Cup of Nations, Uzoenyi also worked hard to win back his place in the squad. His fluidity and creativity during the competition earned him a recall to the provisional World Cup squad, and he received accolades for his showing against Scotland in an international friendly played in London recently, yet he was dropped by Keshi.
Though Nigerian football fans backed Keshi for persistently ignoring Chinedu Obasi, Sone Aluko and Victor Anichebe, they could not come to terms with his decision to drop Uzoenyi and Mba.
A section of the sporting media have insinuated that some of the 19 debutants that Keshi named in the 23-man list were Keshi’s loyalists. Even if the 19 debutants are Keshi’s loyalists, it is believed that since the Delta-born soccer tactician knows his job, he is not expected to fail Nigerians who resolutely supported him to continue as coach of the Eagles after it was reported that he threatened to quit after winning the Nations Cup in South Africa last year.
We agree that it is not every player that could make the World Cup squad but Keshi shouldn’t have gambled with injury-plagued and unfit players when there are better alternatives.
Earlier today, FIFA World Ranking was released with Eagles’ Group F foes Argentina, Bosnia Herzegovina and Iran sitting atop Nigeria.The latest FIFA ranking is a wakeup call for Keshi that picking the second round ticket at the expense of Bosnia and Iran may be a huge hurdle for him and his team. But all eyes are on him to do all within his power to ensure that Nigeria progress at this world’s greatest soccer showpiece in Brazil.